Car truck



B, W. KADEL.

CAR TRUCK.-

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I. 1922.'

1 ,414,959., Patented May 2, 1922. I

PATENT F'FECE.

BYERS W. KABEL, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE T. H. SYIVIINGTO COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

CAR TRUCK.

intense.

Application led February 1, 1922.

To aZZ wlw-m t may concern."

Be it known that I, Bruns lV. KABEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore city, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Car Trucks; and l do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to flexible car trucks in which the side frame members become longitudinally and otherwise displaced, and more particularly stated, embodies improved devices for resisting and cushioning said displacement movement of the side frame members from normal square position, sait devices also serving to return the side frames and associated parts to normal position. Displacement of the side frames and associated truck parts from normal position, usually occurs through the application of external forces thereto as a result of passage of the truck around curves or over defective switch points or imperfect rail joints.

An object of my present invention, generally stated, is to provide devices capable of resisting and at the same time cushioning displacement movement or shocks as imparted to the side frame members, said devices being energized successively one from the other according to the extent of the forces causing the displacement movement, the energization of said devices serving to produce the restoration forces which act to return the side frame members to normal position upon cessation of the forces causing the displacement.

The principal feature of my invention consists in providing spaced side frame members which are relatively movable longitudinally of the truck and which are connected by cross connecting means pivotally attached to each of the frame members, and by associating with said side frame members and cross connecting means yieldable means including a plurality of springs initially assembled under compression and adapted to be successively energized as the initial compressing of cach spring is absorbed, the said vieldable means acting` to restore the side frame members and connecting means to normal position.

A further feature of the invention is to provide an improved yieldable means capa- Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2, 1922.

serial No. 533,367.

ble of resisting displacement movement of the aforesaid associated truck parts, said means including a series of springs interconnected by means of a rocker arm which opcrates so that for a portion of the displacement movement of the side frame members from normal position, there is an independent operation of but one spring and for the remainder of said displacement, when the angular deflection becomes greater, there follows a simultaneous operation of the said series of springs.

There are other features of my invention including the compact and simple construction of the several parts assembled in combination, as will hereinafter appear.

ln the drawings illustrating an embodiment of the invention, the scope whereof is pointed out in the claims:

Fig. l is a view partly in plan and partly -in horizontal section, of a car truck containing my invention, the truck bolster and bolster springs, which may be like those commonly employed in flexible trucks, being omitted, and the truck parts being illustrated in a position such as they assume when the truck is passing around a curve.

Fig. 2 is a transverse detail sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a series of associated spring devices forming the yieldable means located adjacent each side frame and beneath the spring plank, which latter in the present view is shown removed, and the rivets or bolts connecting the same being shown in section.

Fig. l is a detail end view of the housing showing the spring plank in transverse section and the brake beam safety bar retained in said housing beneath the spring plank.

In the drawings the transversely spaced side frame members 1 2 are shown as relatively movable longitudinally of the truck. Each side frame receives the ends of the axles 3 uponwhichl the wheels 4 of the truck are mounted. The side frame membersfare movably connected across the truck by suitable connecting means 5 which may conveniently constitute a truck spring plank. When constructed as a spring plank the opposite ends of the cross connecting means 5 may eXtend `into the respective bolster openings 6 of the side frame and there be pivot- Vally connected to said side frames 1 2. ,lfhe pivotal connection of the spring plank with the side frame may be simply effected by providing each side frame centrally of its bolster opening with an upwardly projecting pivot boss 7 which extends into the corresponding pivot opening 8 of the springplank. Sufficient clearance is provided between the sides of the spring plank and the neighboring faces of the columns 9 of the side frames to allow the spring plank to turn freely through an angle corresponding to the maximum relative longitudinal displacement from normal which it is desired that the side frames shall have. As is usual in flexible trucks, the truck bolster also has sufficient clearance from the columns 9 to permit it to angle horizontally without binding upon the latter when the side frames are displaced longitudinally to their full extent from square relation.

rlhe means for yieldingly resisting displacement movement of the side irame members from normal position and for restoring said side frame members to square position, includes yieldable spring devices 10-10, each consisting of two coil springs 1l and 12 mounted within a housing 13 secured to the under side of the spring plank by means of rivets or bolts 14. dividing wall 15 forms two pockets in the housing for the respective springs 11 and 12. the said pockets communicating at one end of the housing to form a compartmentin which is contained the rocker arm or lever 16 interconnected with the inner adjacent ends of said springs.

The rocker arm 16 is provided with extensions 17 and 18, each extension heilig adapt- 'edto project into and engage cup-shaped recesses 19 formed in the followers or washers 20, associated with the inner end of each 'spring 11 and l2, fulcrum point or portion 21 is formed on said rocxer arm, said portion 21 including a curved face adapted to permit the rocker arm to move in a longitudinal plane. Cooperating with the curved fulcrum portion 21 is a curved pressure face 22 provided on a. thickened portion of one wall of the housing, and adapted to form a bearing` and pressure surface against which the thrusts imparted to the rocker arm .16 fromthe springs are received. The movement of the rocker arm about its fulcruin is attended with but little friction and comparatively no appreciable wear, the fulcrum being preferably located-on a line passingl through the pivotal connection of the side frame members and the spring plank. The igs 11 and 12 of each yieldable device an. also lircated upon each side of die aforesaid line.

l*`langes 2S project from the wall of the housing above and below then rocker arm thereby providing a simple and convenient means of support. The annular edge sur- 'l ded recesses 19 into which rounding tee cupil the extensions of the rocker arm protrude also coact with the flanges 23 in effectively supporting the rocker arm in suspended or floating position for cooperating with the inner ends of the springs.

rlhe opposite or other ends of the springs 11 and 12 are adjacent each other and have each associated therewith followers 24 provided with pins 25 projecting through openings 26 in the opposite end wall of the housing` and terminating just short of the side frame member 1 when the truck is in normal square position. A clearance is thereby afforded between the yieldable means and the side frame members, it being desirable in some cases to leave this clearance so that the said yieldable means will not be subjected to minor shocks and displacement movement which do not affect the proper functioning of the truck. Flanges 29 formed on the followers 24 limit the outward movement of the followers and also serve to compress thc respective springs when either of the projecting pins 25 is moved inwardly.

Squaring mechanism constructed in accordance with my present invention is assembled by positioning the ,springs in parallel relation within the pockets of the housing, and positioning the associated followers and rocker arm so that in normal position the said springs are under initial compression. The part can be readily inserted from the top of the housing, which latter is now attached beneath the spring plank. The spring plank fo ms the top retaining wall 'for the sprn igs and associated parts.

operation opposite pins 25 of the respective yieldable devices will be engaged by the opposite inner face of the respective side frame members according to the direction of angular deflection produced by the 'displacement of said side frames from normal position. the displacement be relatively small but one spring of each yieldable device will be actuated and that independent of its interconnected springs. lf the displacement is relatively larger then first 'one spring of each yieldable device will be compressed to a point where the initial compression has been absorbed or the value thereof exceeded, at which time the rocker 16 will be caused to move about its fulcrum and in so doing compress the adjacent spring of each yieldable device7 thereby producing a subsequent simultaneous operation of all of the springs in each yieldable device in first resisting and vthen restoring the truck parts to `normal position.

The resistance of the displacement movement of the side frame members as well V as the energization of the springs for the re eration movement is a gradual or successive operation in which wear of the several parts is reduced to a minimum. Relatively lighter springs can.y as the result of my present construction, be interposed, there being a better distribution ci' the resisting and restoring forces. y

In some cases I may prefer to use but one yieldable device which will operate to effectively restore both side frames to normal position. Other arrangements 0i' series of springs and interconnecting means therefor, may be made to secure the corresponding action desired, and I do not wish to be understood as limiting my invention which is stated as follows.

I claim zl. In a car truck, the combination with movable side frame members, of means connecting said side frame members, and yieldable means arranged to resist displacement movement of the side Jframe members from normal position, said yieldable means including a series of associated spring devices adapted to be successively energized for restoring the side frame members to normal position.

2. In a car truck, the combination with longitudinal side frame members, of means movably connecting said side frame members, and yieldable means tory resisting longitudinal displacement of movement ot the side frame members from normal position, said yieldable means including associated spring devices assembled under initial compression and adapted to be successively energized as the initial compression of each spring device is absorbed, the energized spring devices serving to restore the side frame members toy normal position.

3. In a car truck, the combination with movable side frame members, of means connecting said side frame members,'and means for resisting displacement movement of said side frame members from normal position, said last mentioned means including a series of devices adapted to be energized in succession according to the displacement movement of the side frame members and operable to restore said side frame members to normal position.

4. In a car truck, the combination with movable side frame members, of means connecting said side frame members, and yieldable means for resisting displacement movement of and restoring said side frame members to normal position, said yieldable means including spring devices interconnected for independent movement during a portion ot the ldisplacement movement, and also operable simultaneously during the remainder ofi said displacement movement.

5. In a car truck, the combination with movable side frame members, of means connecting said vside frame members, and yieldable means for resisting displacement movement ofsaid side frame members from normal position, said yieldable means including a series of associated devices capable of both independent and simultaneous operations for different displacement movements of the side frame members.

6. In a car truck, the -combination with movable side frame members, of means'connecting said side frame members, and yieldable means for resisting displacement movement of said side frame members from normal position, said yieldable means including a series of associated devices capable of independent and lsubsequent simultaneous operations according to the displacement movement of the side frame members, said operations acting to energize the said yieldable means for restoring the side frame members to normal position.

7. In a car truck, the combination with movable side frame members, of means connecting said side frame members, and yieldable means for resisting displacement movement of said side frame members from no-rmal position, said yieldable means including a series of interconnected springs adapted to be energized in succession according to the displacement movement of the side frame members, and operable in reverse succession to restore said side trame members to normal position.

8. In a car truck, the combination with movable side frame members, of means connecting said side frame members, and yieldable means for resisting displacement movement of the side frame members from normal position, said yieldable means including springs interposed between said side frame members and said connecting means, said springs being assembled under initial compression and interconnected with each other so as to first permit of the absorption of the initial compression in one of said springs and the subsequent simultaneous operation ot all of said springs.

9. In a car truck, the combination with movable side frame members, of a spring plank connecting said sidevframe members, and yieldable means interposed between said spring plank and side frame members for resisting displacement of said side frame members from normal position, said yieldable means consisting of spaced springs having adjacent ends interconnected for energization, one through the other, and having their opposite adjacent ends adapted to be actuated by the side frame members upon displacement movement Ifrom normal position.

l0. In a car truck, the combination with movable side frame members, of a spring plank connecting said side frame members, and yieldable means interposed between said spring plank and side frame members for resisting displacement of said side frame members from normal position, said yieldable means comprising springs arranged in parallel relation transversely of the truck and having their inner adjacent ends interconnected with each other and their outer adjacent ends positioned for actuation by the side trame members upon displacement from normal position.

11. 1n a car truck, the combination with movable side frame members, oit a spring plank pivotally connecting said side trame members, a plurality of springs interposed between the side frame members and spring plank tor resisting displacement movement of said side trame members from normal position, means connecting adjacent ends ot said springs, said means being movably mounted on said spring plank, and engaging devices for each opposite adjacent end or' said springs, said engaging devices being adapted to be moved by the displacement movement ot the side frame members from normal position.

12. 1n a car truck, tlie combination with movable side frame members, ot a spring plank pivotally connecting said side iframe members, a plurality ot springs interposed between the side traine members and spring plank ior resisting displacement movement ot said side frame members from normal position, and means itulcrumed on said spring plank and arranged to engage adjacentl ends of said springs for transmitting displacement and restoration movement from one to the other ot said springs in succession.

13. 1n a car truck, the combination with movable side ,trame members, ot a spring plank pivotally connecting said side trame members, al plurality orn springs interposed between the side ,trame members and spring plank toi resisting displacement movement ot said side trame members 'from normal position, a rocker arm having a tulcrum point in said spring plank and having extending' arms arranged to engage adjacent ends ot said springs, and means interconnected with the opposite adjacent ends of said springs, said means being adapted to be actuated by the displacement movement of the side frame members from normal position.

1a. 1n a car truck, the combination with movable side trame members, ot a sp ing plank pivotally connecting said side frame members, and yieloable means ior resisting (lisplacement movement oit said side trame members from normal position, said yieldable means including spaced spring devices each arranged upon opposite sides ot a line passing through the pivotal connections ot said spring plank andA side 'trame members, and adapted to be successively actuated upon displacement ot the side rtrame members :trom normal position.

15. 1n a car truck, the combination with movable side trame members, ot a spring plank pivotally connecting said side trame members, and yieldable means for resisting displacement movement of said side frame members from normal position, said yieldable means being located adjacent each side Jr'rame, and consisting oi' spaced spring devices each or which is composed of separate and interconnected coil springs capable ot being successively energized by the displacement movement of the side trame members from normal position.

16. 1n a car truck, the combination with movable side frame members, of a spring plank pivotally connecting said side Jr'rame members, a plurality of springs mounted on said spring plank and arranged in groups of two adjacent each side frame member tor resisting displacement movement ot said side trame members from normal position, means tulcrumed on a line passing through the pivotal connection of the side frame members and spring pla-nk, said means acting to impart displacement and restoration movements from one to the other of said springs in each group, and means operably connected with said springs forr energizing the same upon displacement movement ot the side trame members trom normalv position. l

l?. 1n a car truck, the combination with movable side traine members, of a spring` plank pivotally connecting said side trame members, yieldable means for resisting displacement movement ot said side frame members from normal position, said means including springs, a housing formed with pockets Ytor positioning said springs beneath the spring plank, followers provided at each end ot said springs, means connecting adjacent followers at one end of said springs, and means provide-d on adjacent followers at the opposite end of said springs for engagement with the side frame members 'for transmitting displacement movement oi the side trame members 'from normal position to the said yieldable means.

i8. ln a car truck the combination with longitudinally movable side trame members, ot spring plank pivotally connecting said side Jtraine members, and yieldable means including two springs interposed between said spring plank and side frame members under initial compression for resisting longitudinal displacement ofl said side frame members trom normal position, both ot said springs being operable by displacement movement of the side 'frame members when the angular deflection ot said spring plank has reached a position in which the value of the initial compression ot one ot said springs has been exceeded.

19. 1n a car truck, the combination with longitudinally movable side irame members, of a spring plank pivotally connecting said side trame members, a plurality otl springs interposed between said spring plank and said side frame members for resisting longitudinal displacement movement of said side frame members from normal position, a housing for said springs, a rocker arm having extentions engaging adjacent ends of said springs and a portion fulcrumed on said housing, and means operable against the opposite adjacent ends of said springs, said means being adapted to be actuated by the longitudinal displacement movement or" the side frame members from normal posi,- tion.

20. In a car truck, the combination with longitudinally movable side frame members, of a spring plank pivotally connecting said side frame members, a plurality of springs interposed between said spring plank and side frame members for resisting longitudinal displacement movement of said side frame members from normal position, a housing for said springs, a rocker arm having portions engaging said springs and another portion formed With a curved face, a curved pressure face provided on said housing adapted to form a fulorum point for the said curved face on said rocker arm, means for supporting said rocker arm, and means operable against the opposite ends of said springs for actuating said rocker arm.

n testimony whereof I aix my signature.

BYERS W. KABEL. 

